Mexico has detained nearly 400 Central American migrants who were travelling through the south of the country trying to reach the US border, officials say.
Monday’s operation in Chiapas state targeted a group of some 3,000 migrants which included small children.
It is said to be the largest single raid on people travelling in so-called caravans. Officials say those detained had refused to apply for visas.
Mexico is under pressure from the US to stem the flow of people heading north.
There has been a huge increase in men, women and children fleeing El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, the three countries where most of those seeking asylum on the US-Mexico border come from.
President Donald Trump again threatened to close the border if Mexico did not do more to stop the undocumented migrants.
A very big Caravan of over 20,000 people started up through Mexico. It has been reduced in size by Mexico but is still coming. Mexico must apprehend the remainder or we will be forced to close that section of the Border & call up the Military. The Coyotes & Cartels have weapons!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 24, 2019
